Effects of computational domain on numerical simulation of building fires

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling (or field modeling) is becoming the main method for numerical simulation of building fires. Among many factors that influence the validity and accuracy of CFD simulation results, the computational domain is sometimes overlooked. In this article, the effects of computational domain on simulation results are analyzed. Simulation results from the use of different domains are compared with experimental data reported in the literature. A parametric study is then conducted to reveal a relationship between the effective domain extension and the heat release rate of the enclosure fire. The effect of computational domain extension in relation to vent opening is also investigated. It is found that the selection of computational domain can have a significant effect on the outcome of enclosure fire simulations. Determination of the appropriate computational domain without unduly sacrificing computational efficiency is also discussed.